This group of cacti (scientific name: Opuntia) contain two distinct types called Prickly Pears and Chollas. Both groups are multi-branched. In the case of Prickly Pears, these branches are referred to as "pads" which are flat and paddle like. Chollas on the other hand, are more tree like and have joints that are cylindrical in shape. The spines, which are actually leaves, vary in quanity, length and color. Plus many Opuntia have these nasty little "soft" looking spines called glochids that are barbed and difficult to remove - if you dare to touch them.

Opuntia (Prickly Pears and Chollas) have one of the largest growing areas in the Western Hemisphere. In Western United States, several species grow from Arizona, north to Canada. Many of these are also the hardiest because they have adapted to survive the cold winters in North America.

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Eastern Prickly Pear #1a (Opuntia humifusa) (20.47K)

Eastern Prickly Pear #1b (Opuntia humifusa) (22.91K)

Eastern Prickly Pear #1c (Opuntia humifusa) (17.41K)

Eastern Prickly Pear #1d (Opuntia humifusa) (15.39K)

Eastern Prickly Pear #1e (Opuntia humifusa) (15.57K)

Eastern Prickly Pear #1f (Opuntia humifusa) (13.05K)

Beavertail Cactus #2a (Opuntia basilaris) (25.67K)

Beavertail Cactus #2b (Opuntia basilaris) (16.45K)

Beavertail Cactus #2c (Opuntia basilaris) (12.59K)

Unknown #3a Pads: 19x10 cm; Spines: 1-4 white centrals, 3-5 cm long; 5x3 cm purple fruit.

Unknown #3b (as above) (14.26K)

Unknown #3c (as above) (17.04K)

Unknown #4a Pads: 21x13 cm; Spines: 1-3 white centrals, 3-5 cm long; 2x3.5 cm red fruit.

Unknown #4b (as above) (16.07K)

Unknown #4c (as above) (14.63K)

Grizzly Prickly Pear #5a (Opuntia erinacea) (30.47K)

Grizzly Prickly Pear #5b (Opuntia erinacea) (17.27K)

Grizzly Prickly Pear #5c (Opuntia erinacea) (19.82K)

Grizzly Prickly Pear #5d (Opuntia erinacea) (22.81K)

Brittle Cactus #6a (Opuntia fragilis) (23.98K)

Brittle Cactus #6b (Opuntia fragilis) (15.41K)

Brittle Cactus #6c (Opuntia fragilis) (19.96K)

Unknown #7a Pads: 8x6 cm; Spines: 1 white (top edge), 2 cm long; 2x1 cm dry fruit.

Unknown #7b (as above) (22.11K)

Unknown #7c (as above) (20.11K)

Unknown #7d (as above) (14.76K)

Unknown #8a Pads: 16x8 cm; Spines: 3-5 red/brn white centrals, 3-4 cm long; 1.5x3 cm dry fruit.

Unknown #8b (as above) (17.46K)

Unknown #8c (as above) (15.77K)

Rat Tail Cholla #9a (Opuntia whipplei) (25.85K)

Rat Tail Cholla #9b (Opuntia whipplei) (21.92K)

Rat Tail Cholla #9c (Opuntia whipplei) (10.66K)

Unknown #10a Pads: 6x5 cm; Spines: 2-3 red/brn centrals, flat/curved, 1-2 cm long; Rose shaped flower.

Unknown #10b (as above) (19.74K)

Unknown #10c (as above) (16.43K)

Unknown #11a Pads: 10x8 cm; Spines: 5 red/brn centrals, twisted/curved, 2-4 cm long; Fruit 1x2 cm spines

Unknown #11b (as above) (22.88K)

Unknown #11c (as above) (18.49K)

Unknown #12a Pads: 11x8 cm; Spines: 2 white/brn centrals, twisted/curved, 3 cm long; Fruit 1x2 cm spines

Unknown #12b (as above) (20.14K)

Unknown #13a Pads: 13x8 cm; Spines: 6 white centrals, twisted/curved, 2.5-4 cm long; Fruit 1.5x3.5 cm

Unknown #13b (as above) (20.14K)

Unknown Cactus (14.98K)

Unknown Cactus (16.42K)

Unknown Cactus (13.86K)

Unknown Cactus (16.28K)

Unknown Cactus (20.36K)

Unknown Cactus (15.14K)

Last modified on February 8, 2007